A raw wind had sprung up, and Lanny felt chilly, even while he was walking; but these people sat or lay, never moving. Could it be that they had no place to go? The boy had observed human forms curled up alongside dustbins and sheds, and had supposed they must be drunk; but could it be that they slept out all night?
He pressed on, still more hurriedly; he was beginning to be really afraid now. He had broken his promise to his mother, never to go anywhere except where plenty of people were to be seen. He was in a dark street, and the figures that passed were slinking and furtive, and many seemed to be watching him. He saw two women righting, shrieking at each other, pulling hair; children stood watching them, apathetic and silent.
It was a street of tenements, but now and then came a pub, with lights and sounds of roistering. A man came out, and as he swung the doors open, the light fell on Lanny. The stranger fell in beside him on the narrow sidewalk. “'Ullo, little tyke!” said he.
Lanny thought he ought to be polite. “Hello,” he replied; and the fellow doubtless noted something different about his accent. “Whur yer bound fer, mytey?” he demanded.
“I don't know,” replied Lanny, hesitatingly. “I'm afraid maybe I'm lost.”
“Ho! Little toff!” exclaimed the other. “Little toff come inter the slums lookin' fer mayflowers, eh, wot?” He was a burly fellow, and in the light of the pub the boy had seen that his face was grimy, as if he were a coal heaver; or perhaps it was several days' growth of beard. His breath reeked of alcohol. “Listen, mytey,” he said, leaning over cajolingly, “gimme a bob, will yer? Me throat is so dry it burns up, it fair do.”
This was a problem for the boy. If he took out his purse the fellow would probably grab it. “I'm sorry, I haven't any money with me,” said he.
“Garn!” snarled the other, turning ugly at once. “A toff don't go withaht no brass.”
They had come to a dark place in the street, and Lanny had just decided to make a dash for it, when to his terror the man grabbed him by the arm. “Cough up!” he commanded.
Lanny struggled; then, finding that the fellow's grip was too strong, he screamed: “Help! Help!”